Pair of surgical scissors

ABSTRACT

A pair of surgical scissors includes two levers pivoted about a center axis and extending alongside a first axis at right angles thereto and having a pair of finger loops at their ends remote from the pivotal center axis. Forming part of one lever and extending from the center axis along a second axis at approximately 45 degrees to the first axis is one of the scissor blades. Similarly extending from the other lever alongside the same second axis is the other scissor blade. Preferably, the second blade is substantially solid so that the space between the two axes is approximately filled with the second blade terminating in a sharpened edge arcuate about the center axis and also sharpened along the second axis as is the first blade.

United States Patent [19] Campbell [4 lMarch 20, 1973 PAIR OF SURGICAL SCISSORS [76] lnventor: Andrew J. Campbell, 1632 Dale Avenue, San Mateo, Calif. 94401 [22] Filed: May 4, 1971 [21]. Appl. No.: 140,151

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1951 l-laufrect 128/318 10/ 1957 Ikeuchi ..30/253 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Attorney-Lothrop & West 5 7 ABSTRACT A pair of surgical scissors includes two levers pivoted about a center axis and extending alongside a first axis at right angles thereto and having a pair of finger loops at their ends remote from the pivotal center axis. Forming part of one lever and extending from the center axis along a second axis at approximately 45 degrees to the first axis is one of the scissor blades. Similarly extending from the other lever alongside the same second axis is the other scissor blade. Preferably, the second blade is substantially solid so that the space between the two axes is approximately filled with the second blade terminating in a sharpened edge arcuate about the center axis and also sharpened along the second axis as is the first blade.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHARZOIEIB m u I I I r n u w I n W I FIG 4 ATTORNEYS PAIR OF SURGICAL SCISSORS Although various patterns and forms of pairs of scissors have been known, it is sometimes awkward, difficult and even dangerous under some conditions to utilize the available pairs of scissors for some surgical operations. For example, in removing certain kinds of body casts it is awkward for the user and sometimes for the patient as well to manipulate the pair of scissors in a suitable fashion to sever the cast for removal. There are other, comparable operations in which the usual or even some of the special pairs of scissors are not entirely suitable.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pair of surgical scissors configured and formed in such a fashion that the cutting edges and shearing edges are on substantially the same side of the center pivot as are the finger loops, the blades being displaced at about a 45 degree angle from the finger loop levers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pair of surgical scissors in which the progress of the scissors in cutting is toward the operator rather than away from the operator.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of surgical scissors having not only the usual shearing edges but also having an additional cutting edge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pair of surgical scissors thatcan readily be fabricated by easily available dies and techniques.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a generally improved pair of surgical scissors.

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in the embodiments of the invention described in the accompanying description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a pair of surgical scissors constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation, from the side opposite FIG. 1 and with portions broken away, of the pair of scissors illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, portions being broken away, but showing a modified form of pair of surgical scissors. In the pair of scissors shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 herein, there is provided a first lever 6 fabricated in the usual way and extending alongside a first axis 7 that passes through a transverse or center pivotal axis 8. On one side of the first lever 6 and adjacent one end thereof, there is afforded an integral finger loop 9. Alsointegral with the first lever is a first blade 11 extending therefrom along a second axis 12 which intersects the first axis 7 at the cross or center axis 8. The blade 11 is of any convenient length and the angle between the axes 7 and 12 is preferably about 45 degrees.

Extending alongside the axis 7 opposite the first lever 6 is a second lever 13 having a finger loop 14 adjacent the end thereof remote from the cross or center axis 8 and in the customary way interfitting with the first lever 6. The two levers are connected together for pivotal motion around the center axis 8 by means of a fastener 16, preferably a very short screwdriver bolt. The second lever 13 has extending from it, as particularly shown in FIG. 4, a blade 17 which lies approximately along the second axis 12 and has a sharpened edge 18, approximately straight, extending therealong and terminating near the end of the first blade 11. The first blade itself is relatively sharp and has a special configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, so that its relatively straight, sharp edge I9 co-acts with the sharp edge 18 in affording a shearing action on any material between such edges. The direction of the edge i8 is approximately 45 degrees from the direction of the second lever 13.

While the second lever could be made angularly rather thin, as is the first blade 11, it is much preferred to make the second blade angularly relatively wide and in effect continuous from the edge 18 to the second lever itself, thus constituting a solid web having an arcuate edge 21 concentric with the cross or center axis 8 and having a sharpened portion 22.

In operation, this surgical pair of scissors can readily be opened by the customary maneuver and can be utilized to effectuate a shearing action between the edges 18 and 19 as the pair of scissors is drawn toward the user. In addition to the normal shearing action and while the second lever is being operated with respect to the first, there is a knife-like cutting action provided by the sharpened portion 22 so that any material in the path of the scissors moving toward the user is also out.

As particularly shown in FIG. 5, the construction of a modified pair of scissors is substantially the same as that described except that instead of straight edges 18 and 19, I preferably provide shearing edges 23 and 24 at a slight curvature so that the shearing action in some instances is considerably easier.

In practical use, a pair of scissors of this sort is readily mastered by the surgeon and is particularly useful in hooking under the edge of a cast, particularly a body cast. In being drawn toward the user while the shearing motions are effectuated the pair of scissors helps to insure that the shearing surfaces and particularly the relatively small point on the first blade 11 do not come into body contact with the patient but rather readily follow the configuration of the cast. Other shearing and cutting operations are also facilitated, often because the user can clearly observe the blade ends directed or coming toward him. Often, also, his other hand, used for steadiness and for holding the just cut material, is not between the scissor blades and himself.

What is claimed is:

l. A pair of surgical scissors comprising a first lever extending substantially alongside a first axis, a first finger loop on said first lever adjacent one end thereof, a second lever extending substantially alongside said first axis, a second finger loop on said second lever adjacent one end thereof, means substantially on said first axis and at the other end of said levers for pivoting said first lever and second lever together for relative rotation about a center axis, a first blade integral with said first lever adjacent said other end thereof and adjacent said first axis and extending substantially radially from said first axis along a second axis at an acute angle to said first axis, said second axis extending substantially through said center axis and being approximately coplanar with said first axis and disposed about 45 degrees therefrom, a second blade connected to said second lever adjacent said pivoting means and extending from said center axis alongside said first blade and along said second axis, means forming co-acting shearing edges on said first blade and said second blade, a web on said second lever substantially spanning the angle between said first axis and said second axis, and a cutting edge on said web arcuate about said center axis.

=1: at a: 5 

1. A pair of surgical scissors comprising a first lever extending substantially alongside a first axis, a first finger loop on said first lever adjacent one end thereof, a second lever extending substantially alongside said first axis, a second finger loop on said second lever adjacent one end thereof, means substantially on said first axis and at the other end of said levers for pivoting said first lever and second lever together for relative rotation about a center axis, a first blade integral with said first lever adjacent said other end thereof and adjacent said first axis and extending substantially radially from said first axis along a second axis at an acute angle to said first axis, said second axis extending substantially through said center axis and being approximately co-planar with said first axis and disposed about 45 degrees therefrom, a second blade connected to said second lever adjacent said pivoting means and extending from said center axis alongside said first blade and along said second axis, meanS forming co-acting shearing edges on said first blade and said second blade, a web on said second lever substantially spanning the angle between said first axis and said second axis, and a cutting edge on said web arcuate about said center axis. 